A BIRMINGHAM man who stashed drugs in an ice-cream tub has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Police officers swooped on Sajid Qasim’s home in Herrick Road, Saltley, on January 14 this year and found a large quantity cocaine and heroin being prepared for sale in the living room.

The officers, who were acting on a tip-off from local residents that drug dealing was taking place at the address, also discovered a suitcase stuffed with drug paraphernalia.

They also found an ice cream box filled with prescription medication including diazepam and morphine sulphate. Qasim, 36, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court after being found guilty of two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Police also seized £2,400 under the proceeds of crime act and Qasim’s family now face being evicted from their home following his conviction.

Sergeant Dave Wilson, who led the investigation, said: “We carried out the warrant in response to concerns from local residents who suspected there was drug dealing activity taking place at the address.

“This sentence shows the serious nature of drug dealing and that we will not tolerate it within our neighbourhood.

“Drugs have a detrimental effect not only on users, but on communities.

“We will continue to carry out drugs warrants in Washwood Heath to disrupt the distribution of drugs within our community. We welcome this sentence which now sees a drug dealer taken off our streets for some time.”

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Friendship Housing Association are working closely with police to bring about eviction proceedings against Qasim and his family from their home in Herrick Road.”